Ten Things I’ve Learned from my Clutter

Clutter is natural and we all have it to some degree because by nature we are hunters and gatherers. Only at this point in our evolution as a species most of us are hunting for ‘treasures’ and gathering collections and mementos. The process of [tag]clutter clearing[/tag] is very important in any self growth or coaching process because who you are is not separate from your environment. You created your environment and everything in it tells a story about you.

Even if someone else did the decorating, you choose that person to be in your life so the environment is still about you. When you make changes in one part of your life and you look at the big picture (your environment as well and your thoughts and actions) the impact is so much greater. It can help you grow more quickly into your ‘best self’.

Our family has gone through drastic belonging reduction – by choice – when we moved across the country, and I continue to learn more about clutter nearly every day. Here are some of the things I’ve learned about clutter.

Clutter clearing releases blocked energy.

On its own without doing anything else, clearing clutter can change your life.

Ideally clearing clutter is done slowly, one area at a time.

You will never be totally finished with clutter — unless you live alone and/or are extremely disciplined.

Once you’ve begun, clutter clearing is an ongoing process that is more about choices and mindfulness.

Clutter is nothing to be ashamed of. It does not make you a bad person, but … see #7.

Clutter can keep you from moving forward in your life.

The things we gather have voices (ok, nothing spooky here, we are the ones who give them voice). They originally come from our own negative self talk or from the critical voices of family and friends and then become internalized and live in our subconscious minds. When we see the item the voice gets triggered. The trick is to consciously learn what the things around you are saying and whether they are supportive or a put-down.

The things people say about you (or the things you tell your self) is not the whole truth. The other part is the way you interpret it. Often a criticism from someone is more about them than it is about you.

You don’t have to get rid of something you love that has a negative voice, if you can successfully look at the memory and change it.

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About Me

I was born at the peak of the baby boom and got to experience being a flower child only because my very small hometown caught up to the rest of the world so slowly. I have been a lifelong writer and reader, with aspirations of being a renaissance woman.